TexasMPGal's Motivated Mentor Group (CLOSED- TRAINING IN PROGRESS!)

Brittany, I would like to join your group. I have been on BT for a couple years now, and I always did my best with a group to motivate me.

  Name : Kirk

 Tri Experience : In 2007, I did a few sprints and an Oly. Last year, I fell off the wagon and only did a few 5ks. I have already registered for a HIM in June of 2009 and am training on a program.

Mentoring needs : Running is my weakness, mostly due to my weight. (240 lbs 6'0) I was a college soccer player, but I am also in Law Enforcement and I lifted weights and gained some weight when I had knee and back surgery from a job related car crash. I would love to be in a group where there are all kinds of experience levels where we can all benefit from each other. Had a great experience with my first mentor (TRIOK)!!

So, can I be in???

Brittany, if you have room....

Name:ebshot/Erica

Story: I have a long story.  Short version is I always wanted to do a triathlon.  I turned 30 a few weeks ago and my goal at the beginning of the year was to complete a tri before I turned 30.  I finished my first in June.  Second in August.  But because of my husband's schedule was unable to race any more.  Hubby is active duty Navy (sorry Brit but GO NAVY!) and stationed on a submarine.  He is out to sea A LOT.  It makes training and racing difficult but I love a challenge so it works out!  I also ran my first half marathon in October. Lots of fun but I was undertrained.  I won't make that mistake next time!

Family Status: Married w/3 kids (7,5,4)

Current Training: half marathon/HIM training beginning this weekend

2009 Races: Hyannis Half Marathon, Providence HIM, misc sprints and an oly thrown in too!

Weightloss:  About a year after I had my third little guy, I realized I needed to lose weight, a lot of weight.  Once I set my mind to do something, there is no stopping me.  I dropped 75 pounds and have kept it off for about 2 years.  I am thinner and in better shape than I was in high school!

Erica and Jim you are IN! Welcome welcome, I'm so excited!!

Erica-- 75 pounds, wow! That is incredible and awesome, congrats--I'm sure we'll be looking to you for some tips on what works as it sounds like we all might have a little to lose here!   I hesitated for a moment with you since y'all are Navy (just kidding)...actually the best friend that got me into all this is actually a Navy LT.

Jim-- ahh, the family rivalry, that is excellent! I'm trying to entice my younger brothers the same way. One of my brothers is a West Point cadet (I went there too) and we go back and forth on things including the Army PT test--he has me in the run and pushups, but I lay the smack down when it comes to sit ups!

Heh!  My dad is a retired Master Chief (E-9) and hubby is a Chief (E-7).  My FIL was Navy, my BIL was an LT, my grandfather, well, you get the picture.  We come from a long line of squids!  My son already says he wants to drive submarines when he grows up! 

Where all have you been stationed Brittany? 

Name:  Profwrite/ Marie

Story:  I am a 35 year old couch potato who is ready to change my life.  This past summer, I learned to swim and I feel so powerful because of it!  So I am ready to overcome my next fear--the fear of the open water swim.  That's why I want to do a triathlon.  In the past, I have run a 10K and I consider myself a fair cyclist (love indoor spin classes).  But my workouts have always been sporadic and inconsistent.  I go from periods of fitness to periods of laziness and weight gain.  Right now, I try to swim 2 times a week.  But that's it.  It's enough to keep me from getting too lazy, but it's not enough to get me  fit.  This year, I am hoping to do my very first triathlon.  I am thinking of starting with a Try-a-Tri and then doing a Sprint Tri in September. 

Family Status:   Married for 5 years with a 21 month old toddler. 

Mentoring Needs:  I am not athletic at all.  I also have a 1 hour work commute and a child in daycare which makes finding time to work out very difficult.  I also have a husband who works and travels most of the week, so I do 90% of the after-school childcare. Joining this group will keep me committed to my goal by making public my intention!  I hope that everyone will say something to me when I don't log any workouts in my journal.

2009 Races:   Lake Chelan Try-a-Tri (July), Kirkland Sprint Tri (September)

Weightloss:  10 pounds would be ideal.  I'm currently 5'10" and 159 pounds.  I'm not into the superthin look, but I do like to fit into my clothes.

Wow, that is quite a squid history!!   I actually don't have hardly any military history in the family.  My Grandpa was in the Navy in WWII, but only had enough time to go to school before it was all over and he was out....so no real influence there. But, now one of my brothers is a West Point cadet and will graduate in 2010, so maybe I starte something!

As for assignments, it's looked like this:
West Point, NY--graduated 2002
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO-- MP Officer Basic Course Aug-Nov '02
Kaiserslautern, Germany-- Platoon leader Dec '02-Feb '04
Baghdad/Fallujah, Iraq-- Platoon leader Feb '04-Feb '05
Kaiserslautern, Germany-- Platoon leader Feb '05-Oct '05
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO-- MP Captain's Career Course Nov '05-June '06
Ft. Hood, TX: Staff June '06 - July '06 (yep, that short)
Baghdad, Iraq: Staff Aug '06 - Nov '07 (the running mania began...15 months is FOREVER)
Ft. Hood, TX: Staff Nov '07-Sept '08; Detachment Commander Sept '08-Present

So...the longest I've spent anywhere, minus college, is my 15 month tour to Iraq.  That will change with the job I'm in now as I command MPs that do specialized law enforcement here on Ft. Hood..so no deployment in my near future (that I know of)...I am happy about that!  What about you, where has the Navy taken your family?

  What about you, where has the Navy taken your family?

Boo for the sandbox!  Thanks heavens there isn't another deployment anytime soon.  They suck!

Geez, I've been everywhere.  A quick list:

Norfolk, VA

Groton, CT

Balston Spa, NY

Groton,CT (again)

LaMadallina Italy

Groton, CT (yet again)

Kittery, ME

Groton, CT (yup, again)

Guam

Honlulu, HI

Groton, CT (seriously, we're back)

I think that is everywhere.  We vacationed in Germany for a week or so.  I'd love to live there.  Beautiful country.  No submarine bases there though!   Our favorite duty station was Hawaii.  Guam was hard.  Bryan was gone 80% of the time we were there and I either had a newborn or was pregnant almost the whole time.  Our youngest was born while B was out to sea there.  Oh well, it happens.  I wouldn't trade the experience for the world, I learned a lot about myself and did things I never thought I would.  BUT, I wouldn't want to do it again either!!  We have at least two more years here in CT before he's up for orders again.  We'll see  if we move or we might try to stay here.  We hate the area but our middle son has special needs and if we can get the school to provide his services, I hate to change school districts.  Lots changes once the kiddos get in school!  

Speaking of school, I have to take our youngest to pre-k.  Catch ya later!

Edited cause I messed up the quotes and couldn't figure out how to fix it!

Erica- wow, you have been all over!  I visited some of my Navy friends in Hawaii when they were based there.  They said they felt it was a great family location, but as singles they got a little bit of island fever...one is married now and would like to go back, but she wasn't all that happy as a single person once she exhausted the "fun" things to do. 
And wow CT has been popular for you, but I do suppose subs limits some of your locations. 

As we get going with this we'll take a look at the various elements of training and balancing family, life, jobs, etc.  I'll put out some "rules for the group" once we get a few more into the fold.  Don't worry, no crazy rules, just guidelines to help us be successful together.  If you get some time, use the log functions to throw in some short term/long term (as you define them) goals, and maybe race schedule...that way we can all help encourage each other to them and you get to see them often.  Putting them on the "wall" if you will help declare them and get you to them!  I will be updating mine in a bit as well! 

Brittany,

I just finished reading "A Time Of War" about your class at West Point. You all have been through a lot and have my admiration!!! 

I want to hear about how I can lose 75 pounds. What did ya do??

Kirk

Brittany,

I want to start off by saying thank you for your service to our country.

NAME: TheSloth/ Dave

MY STORY: I'm 37 and a Deputy Sheriff for Greene Co. OH.  My first experience with consistent physical training was at Parris Island, SC when I entered the United States Marine Corps Reserves.  I PT fairly regularly for 6 years during the time I was an MP.  After leaving the reserves, I started the downward slide.  Between the lack of activity at my job(I work primarily in the jail behind a desk), family issues, and poor diet.  I'm in less than desirable shape.  I have lifted weights on and off for the past few years, yielding little results.  After finishing dead last in the run for thw SWAT PT test, I had finally had enough, I needed to get in shape again.  I decided on training for a triathlon to give me a tangible goal for my fitness.

FAMILY STATUS: I have been married to my wonderful wife for 14 years. We have 2 boys who are 11 and 3.

CURRENT TRAINING: I am currently working out 4-5 days a week, focusing on swimming and running.  The weather hasn't been ideal for cycling lately.

RACES: I have never been in a race.  My PT tests have always been what I considered races. I would like to enter the Ohio State University Sprint in May as my first tri.  Depending on the outcome, I may enter more.

WEIGHTLOSS: Weight loss is not my primary reason for training.  I understand that if I want to be faster, losing weight is a must.

WHY I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR YOUR MENTORING GROUP:I can identify with aspects with your life: I was an MP and I hate running, even though I made peace with it to the point I could pass my PFTs.  My weakest area is swimming, an area that you seem to excel, so I could use some pointers.

Thanks for reading my post and good luck with your 2009 season.

 P.S. BTW, OC spray is fun!(saw your video)

I would like to join your mentoring group and since you are from Texas, that is a big plus because we might be doing some of the same races. I have just joined BT not too long ago and i am excited about meeting new people and learning as much as i can.

TRI EXPERIANCE: I have done 3 sprints, 2 swim meets, 2 half mary's, turkey trot, and the aqua bike at 70.3 longhorn in 2008. In 2009 I am doing my first 70.3 in New Orleans this April and the Bandera Trial run 25k in Jan. I hope to plan more races as the year goes on.

MENTOR NEEDS: I started doing Triathlons in 2005 but quit in 2007 and re-entered in 2008. I burned myself out and gave myself 16 months off with no training to hopefully regain my interest. I hope to learn and improve my bike, swim and run skills because to me this is a lifetime endeaver and I do not want to rush things and get burned out again.

FAMILY: Single, one pet bird, I live in FT. Worth, tx but have family in Dallas, tx

CURRENT TRAINING: Working hard on running and swimming but laid off biking for the last month--but bike riding this week-have my bike trainer finally.

WEIGHT LOSS: 5'5' and 140 pds-could lose a few but not overweight

2009 GOALS: Finish a 70.3 in New Orleans this April and do another one later this year and actually train for it the right way instead of doing it my lazy way and try some trail running and of course do some oly's-

I would really appreciate having a mentor because I am not aroing anyone who does triathlons and it would be nice to have some common interest and be able to learn from other people's experiances.

           Thank you

                  mntcra--

        Monette Crain--

I cut calories and fat WAY down!  I was coming off the couch so I started exercising on the elliptical machine.  I still remember my first day, I barely made it 15 minutes.  Eventually, I worked my way up to about 45-60 minutes a day/5 or 6 days a week.  I was super strict with what I ate and religious about working out.  It took me about 8 months to get the weight off.  When I hit my goal, I went parasailing.  It was wonderful!  When we moved from HI to CT, I put on about 5 pounds.  I started tri training and decided I needed those pounds off.  I buckled down and cut out all processed foods.  I know, it was awful!  It took me a bit to get into the groove but after I went through all the withdrawl's, it was pretty easy!  I ate a ton of fruit and veggies.  Between that and upping my workouts, I lost another 10-15 pounds.  That was this past spring.  I am now maintaining and hope not to gain any more than 5 pounds through the holidays!  Once they are over (thanks goodness it's soon!), I start back on cutting out processed foods and start HIM/half marathon training. 

Dave and Monette- Welcome!! Another MP/Cop and a Texan! Excellent!!
Dave, I can totally relate to the PFT being a motivator...it wasn't until after I graduated from college and realized HOLY COW, I'm going to be a Platoon Leader---I better step it up...so I got over mental blocks in running by making 6 miles a comfortable distance for me and my PT run times dropped drastically and life has been getting better since!! And no, OC pepper spray is not fun! I will NEVER lose that qual card!!

Monette- Well, we have already done at least one race together, I did the Longhorn 70.3 as my capstone race for this season! So, I absolutely hope to see you at some races this year!  I won't be at NO 70.3 as I'm doing Lonestar Half-Iron in Galveston (good simulation for IMFL with salt water).

Kirk--glad you liked "In a Time of War".  I was actually interviewed several times for it, but I suppose I wasn't as interesting (haha!)...but I know everyone in the book...Todd Bryant was a friend of mine.

Okay, I'm going to leave this open for a little bit longer, maybe one or two more to join the crew, and then we'll get this party started!!

Brittany, I just looked at your training log.  Girl, you are hardcore!! It looks like we have an awesome mentor.

Does everyone plan on keeping nutrition logs? I don't want to lose a ton of weight, but I do need to eat healthier.  Some meal ideas would be helpful.  

x2!  She's awsome.  That is why I jumped at the chance to get in this group.  I've been around BT long enough to know how great Brit is as an athlete and a person as well.  Great values and morals.  That is high on my priority list.  Brittany is good people!

Holy smokes, y'all (<--you're going to get lots of this, I am a Texan) are making me blush on our first day as a group!! Thanks...I seriously just enjoy this sport, and more so the people and friendships I've made in it and the lifestyle change I have due to it (including the friends) so I jumped at the chance to give back!

I'll just add in she is awesome, dedicated, fast and has a great attitude.

You guys are going to have a blast!

Hi Brittany, I would like to join if you still have room.

Name:  Karen

Story:  I am 29 and not currently very active. I did a 4:03 marathon in 2004 but nothing since. I have only been practicising on a regular mountain bike type bike. I can currently run for around 40 minutes and swim for 30 minutes in a pool.

Goal: 70.3 Ironman China - 19 April '09

Mentoring Needs:  I am lucky enough to not have any work commitments but lose motivation quite easily. I need to find out about all the gear I need - bike and wetsuit especially.
 

Weightloss:  I have lost 10 pounds in the last 2 months by dieting. I would be looking to be 7 pounds less for the half ironman. I'm currently 5'3" and 119 pounds. 

Thanks for taking the time to consider me!